Independent Hackney bookshop nominated for award

Pages of Hackney bookshop in Lower Clapton

Local independent bookseller Pages of Hackney is celebrating its regional shortlist nomination as best all-round independent bookshop in Britain.

“Pages is thrilled to be shortlisted for this award in its first full year of trading, as well as being listed alongside shops we looked to for inspiration before opening,” said owner Eleanor Lowenthal.

“I think that our focus on events and community spirit is what makes the shop stands out and we will continue with these efforts,” she said.

The winner of the award will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on 17 May.

As well as being crowned Britain’s best independent bookseller, the winner will receive a £5,000 cash prize from award sponsors Gardners Books to promote and market their store.

The entries have been divided into four regions across the UK – the North and Scotland; the Midlands and Wales; the South West; and London and the South East.

The Independent Bookseller of the Year Award forms part of the new Bookseller Industry Awards which span retail and publishing, recognising excellence and achievement within the industry.

The judging criteria covers a whole range of bookselling disciplines including operational excellence – from the range of stock available, helpfulness and knowledge of staff, web innovation and premises, to promotions and opening hours;

It also covers customer service – evidence of ‘going the extra mile’ for customers, and community – how the bookshops fit in to the local area, from the range of events programmed to working with local libraries and colleges.

The judging panel is widely drawn, with expertise from inside the book trade and beyond.

Judges for 2010 are Ottakar’s founder James Heneage; Jo Howard with experience from WH Smiths; bestselling author Kate Mosse; Paul Smiddy, a noted city analyst, most recently for HSBC; marketing expert Damian Horner; Peter Williams, former boss of Selfridges and Robert Clark, one of the UK’s best informed observers of retail.

The South East and London shortlist:

The Village Bookshop, Woodford Green, Essex
Kemp Town Bookshop, Brighton, Sussex
Barton’s Bookshop, Leatherhead, Surrey
RD Franks, London, W1
Maher the Bookseller, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
Pages of Hackney, London

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